New Ceres, a planet in the outer colonies, embraced the Age of Enlightenment nearly two hundred years ago and refused to let go. Refugees and opportunists come to New Ceres in search of new lives, escaping the conflicts of the interstellar war that has already destroyed Earth. New Ceres Nights presents thirteen exciting stories of rebellion, debauchery, decadence, subterfuge and murder set against the backdrop of powdered wigs, coffee houses, duels and balls that is the shared world of New Ceres. Table of Contents Debutante — Dirk Flinthart The Widow’s Seven Candles — Thoraiya Dyer Code Duello — J C Hay Murder in Laochan — Aliette de Bodard Tontine Mary — Kaaron Warren Fair Trade — Stephen Dedman A Troublesome Day for Jacky Midnight — Matthew Farrer Prosperine When It Sizzles — Tansy Rayner Roberts Candle to the Devil — Sue Isle Blessed Are the Dead that the Rain Falls Upon — Martin Livings The Sharp Shooter — Sylvia Kelso Smuggler’s Moon — Lee Battersby The Piece of Ice in Miss Windermere’s Heart — Angela Slatter